Democrat Kevin Howley wants a series of three debates with Republican Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson before the Nov. 6 election.

But they're unlikely to happen, an email from Oakland County Chief Deputy Executive Gerald Poisson indicates.

"Mr. Howley hasn't earned any debates," Poisson wrote. "Brooks has a 20-year body of work to speak for him.

"In the last election the Oakland Dems resorted to criminal felonies in an attempt to win," he said. "This year they spread rumors and lies to mislead and to try to take advantage of Brooks' victimization. Tell them no."

Patterson, 73, is on the ballot for a sixth four-year term against Howley, but has been recuperating from injuries sustained in an Aug. 10 car crash.

Patterson indicated Friday he would be starting two weeks of intensive physical therapy, leaving little time for a debate, let alone three.

Howley, 52, from Huntington Woods, says voters deserve to know where he and Patterson stand on issues facing the county, such as jobs, health care, public education and their vision for the future of Oakland County.

"By debating these and other issues, we can give the voters the information they need to make a thoughtful and informed decision in November," Howley said in an open letter to Patterson.

"In a few words -- arrogant and out of touch," Howley said of Poisson's remark that he hasn't earned a debate.

"This election is not about Brooks Patterson or Kevin Howley," he said. "Debates are for the benefit of voters and a tradition that our forefathers fought to preserve.

"It takes a real leader to acknowledge challenges without worrying about assigning or avoiding blame. "Mr. Patterson won't even recognize the serious issues facing Oakland County, so how could he possibly be serious about finding solutions? I have put solutions on the table and am ready to move Oakland County forward.

"If Mr. Patterson wants to run on a record where over 175,000 jobs were lost, property values have plummeted, household income has declined, schools have been closed all over the county and more people are living in poverty, then we feel the choice is clear," Howley said.

Contact Charles Crumm at 248-745-4649, charlie.crumm@oakpress.com or follow him on Twitter @crummc and on Facebook. More information is at oaklandmichiganpolitics.blogspot.com. Keep up with the latest in local news by texting OPNews to 22700. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel